I'm thinking about the word 'research' which is the word I use to test whether I'm pronoucing something in UK English or American English, Autrailasian English or West Indian English (oh the joys of crossculturalism!).

In American English it tends to be the stress on the first syllable, like REsearch, where as in English-English its re SEARCH. So weird that this nut thing flips it.

One day I'll say everything correctly in some country somewhere, rofl.

In the U.S., the pronunciation of the word "research", depends on how it's used. If you use "research" as a noun, like in the sentence "I have much research to do before the semester's end.", then the first syllable is emphasized. If on the other hand, the word is used as a verb - "I need to research the subject further.", then the last syllable is emphasized.

At least that's how it is among the people I know.

Seeeeeeya; Goodweed of the North

__________________“No amount of success outside the home can compensate for failure within the home…"

I grew up saying "pe-con" and have heard the many others already mentioned (I read the thread thru) but the most interesting pronunciation was from one of my little first graders who was happy to inform me that he had a "pay-cahn" (with HEAVY accent on "cahn" and said quickly. He proudly pointed pointed to his pants pocket. I asked him 3 times to repeat the word and finally exasperated with my ignorance he pulled out a pecan. How cute! Thank goodness he had brought the evidence. Oh, did I mention that he was born and raised in the heart of Cajun Land.......

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The only difference between a "cook" and a "Chef" is who cleans up the kitchen.